Potential Game-Changers in 2024-25

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We see some unsung heroes each season who help lead their teams further than people thought. Today, we'll highlight a few kids who fit that billing heading into 2024-25.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='533088' first='Madelyn' last='Stocks']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There may not be a player who fits Germantown's style of play better than Stocks. The Warhawk has the stamina to press 36 minutes and never look winded. Stocks are also a more than capable perimeter shooter, which she proved with lower volume in her sophomore season, but may have an increased role this season with some graduations in the class of 2024. She's one of the best communicators on the floor, which is a must-have, given how fast things happen when the Germantown Warhawks are on the floor. Having someone like Stocks who can press, communicate in high-pressure situations, knock down shots, and attack closeouts could seem indispensable in February and March.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='338966' first='Bentley' last='Drout']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The clear caveat here is we don't know when Drout will be back from her knee injury, so this is positive thinking, and hoping we see her on the floor again this season. However, Drout is a change of pace that Kimberly didn't have a like-for-like player for after she went down. The Papermakers have good athletes in their lead guard department, but they weren't nearly as explosive as Drout. The rising senior had kids on their backfoot when she attacked off the dribble because she could blow past anyone and power through contact. She played a crucial role for the Papermakers last season, and if she can get back on the floor in her senior season, she could make a difference in a postseason game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='877430' first='Eva' last='Engel']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Laconia wing is the 25 that I feel doesn't always get the recognition she deserves. Engel is a player who knows her role and what's expected of her when she's on the floor. However, sometimes, when things don't go the Spartans' way, Engel is the one who steps up and has massive performances. In the state title game this past year, Laconia came out flat, and Engel was the one who jumpstarted the Laconia offense on the biggest stage of high school basketball against Laconia. She does a little of everything and has been the glue to what Laconia has been for the last few seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='874383' first='Brianna' last='Breese']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'0 rising Notre Dame wing has some touch on the perimeter and sneakily gives the Tritons even more size than they've had the past few seasons. A four-person lineup of [player_tooltip player_id='842209' first='Aspen' last='Abel']-[player_tooltip player_id='874383' first='Brianna' last='Breese']-[player_tooltip player_id='338948' first='Peyton' last='Musial']-[player_tooltip player_id='842199' first='Kaia' last='Waldrop'] gives them nearly four six-footers on the court at one time, and positionally, it can work. There's plenty of room to grow for Breese over the next year, but she has some inside-out skill and the size that can give opposing defenses fits, given the personnel the Tritons can roll. Keep an eye on her this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->